So You Want A Career in Music? Part 1
So do tens-of-thousands of other people.
Wanting something does not necessarily make it happen. Even with all the “If you want it badly enough, it will happen” believers propagating all their wonderful and deceptive rantings.
In order to focus on a career in music, we must first limit and identify our particular area of interest in order to understand what is necessary to accomplish our goal.
What are a few areas a musician can be a part of?
1. Performer
Becoming a musician is a lot of hard work and few ever succeed in this competitive field.
2. Teacher
If you are looking to amass a great amount of cash in this profession, you may be disappointed.
3. Retail Sales
You need to know everything there is to know about guitars and drums.
4. Composer
It all depends of your creativity and a lot of luck.
5. Conductor
You first have to have a baton and a very large ego.
6. Music manager.
You first have to decide if you can live on 10% of nothing.
7. Recording Engineer
You first have to have “big ears”.
8. A&R Director
You must have a big attitude and be able to lie well.
9. Artists Manager/ Band Manager
You must be willing to travel; in a bus.
10. Road manager/ tour manager
You must be willing to travel; in a bus.
11. Press agent
You must have a big attitude and be able to lie well.
12. Program director- radio/DJ format
Must be able to speak well for long periods of time without saying anything important.
13. Church Music
Must be able to get along with elderly, blue haired ladies.
14. Music Health
Work to improve issues with emotion, physical, cognitive and social wellbeing. Having teen-age children will help get you started.
15. Instrument Repair
Having experience as an auto body shop mechanic is invaluable.
16. Musicologist
Having no personality is a strong prerequisite.
17. Ethnomusicologist
Being able to survive by yourself at parties is required.
18. Rock Star
Talent is not required but unusual hair style is essential; vocal talent is not expected.
19. Stage Manager
Must be able to see in the dark and have at least a dozen costume changes, all in black.
20. Private Instrument Teacher
Have access to vast quantities of Excedrin and be able to sleep with your eyes open is helpful.
21. Music Journalist
Must be able to use Spell Check correctly and write articles which generate hostility.
22. Concertmaster/Concertmistress
Must be able to replicate a tuning note at any time and in every pitch.
23. Section Leader (Principle Player)
Must be able to perform with great confidence no matter if it is correct or not.
24. Choir Director
Traffic cops automatically qualified for these positions. Large city officers are preferred.
25. Cantor
Cantors with the first name “Eddy” are in immediate need.
26. Church Organist
Performers who are paranoid if people stare at the back of their heads should not apply.
27. Voice Therapist
People susceptible to colds and sore throats should not apply.
28. Speech Pathologist
Mel Tillis needn’t apply.
29. Piano Tuner
Must be willing to make house calls.
30. Celebrity Bodyguards
FBI background very helpful.
Part 2 of this topic will be more serious and focus on only two areas in music for a possible career- Performing and Teaching.
